Yesterday’s New York Times (requires registration) had a very interesting article on the benefits of breastfeeding, and a government initiative to encourage mothers to nurse their babies until the babies are at least 6 months old.

The various studies on this make it look like breastfeeding babies are slimmer, healthier, smarter, happier, and generally more perfect than any other babies for the rest of their lives. But the article correctly points out that the mothers most likely to nurse are college-educated, over 30, and high-income. All of those attributes are separately likely to lead to healthier etc babies and future adults.

Graphics accompanying the article pointed out something that I was surprised to learn about race and breastfeeding. Hispanic [sic], Asian, and white mothers are significantly more likely to nurse than African-Americans. There’s got to be a health/prenatal care access issue there, and I was surprised that the article didn’t explore it.

Frustratingly, the US government is going about this initiative in, IMO, the most counterproductive possible way: Guilt and propaganda, with no substance to support real change. (Not that I’m anti-nursing. Having an initiative to promote it is a good thing. But what if we had a good initiative?)

A big media campaign that plays on new mom’s fears and willingness to do whatever it takes to be a good mom might work. But it is morally wrong.

Comparing not breastfeeding to being 9 months pregnant and choosing to ride a mechanical bull at a bar is both wrong and ridiculous. Formula isn’t poison! It doesn’t endanger children! And some moms can’t breastfeed their babies, for a whole host of reasons.

What would REALLY help new moms to nurse their babies for 6 months is substantive changes. US law says that those of us who work for medium or large organizations can take 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave. Paid maternity leave for 6 months would make a much bigger difference!

And breast pumps, which you need if you want to keep breastfeeding after you return to work, are expensive! The most commonly used electric pumps retail for $250-$320; even manual ones — totally impractical for a full-time worker — cost $40-60. You can rent them from the hospital, but that kind isn’t portable. Government subsidized electric pumps would make a huge difference for low and moderate income moms.

Low-cost on-site daycare would help too! Noah’s school is way too far away for me to go over lunch, so he could nurse. My previous employer had on-site daycare, but it was expensive! We probably couldn’t have afforded it.

Yup, that’s a family friendly administration policy. Don’t actually help new moms, just make them feel guilty if they can’t find a way to breastfeed.